Air Filters

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"What kind of air filter should I buy for my allergy?" I hear that question on a daily basis. In general, the answer is "it depends on what you're allergic to." If you are allergic to cat dander and grass pollen, and you have a cat in your home, I recommend investing in some sort of advanced filter. That's because these allergens are small; thus they are lighter than air and stay airborne indefinitely. That means they can actually be filtered out of the air. Now, let's compare that to dust mite allergy. Dust mite allergen is relatively large, staying airborne for about 15 to 20 minutes after being disturbed (such as making the bed). There's no way a filter can catch much dust mite allergen once it has settled back onto the bed or into the carpet.

Electrostatic filters are an interesting idea. You get a permanent metal filter that takes the place of your disposable fiberglass filter. The metal electrostatic filter is better at trapping allergens than the less expensive fiberglass model. However, consider these tips before you decide to go with electrostatic. First, you should run your air conditioning system using "ON" rather than "AUTOMATIC". You just paid for a good filter, and you want it filtering 24/7, right? Not just when your thermostat tells the compressor to blow cold air in the summer or tells the furnace to blow warm air in the winter. Second, be sure to clean the filter regularly with a strong flow of water. Most recommendations say to wash off the electrostatic filter once or twice a month, but it depends somewhat on how dusty your home is. If you don't keep an electrostatic filter clean, it will become less effective. It will also increase the drag on your entire HVAC system, making the system work harder. The company that services the air conditioners in my home doesn't like electrostatic filters at all, saying they reduce the life of the entire system. That company, AireServ, recommends that allergy patients consider an in-system High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. They sell the Lennox Healthy Climate, which is excellent, but expensive.

If you do get a filter, should you get a free-standing HEPA filter, a Sharper Image Ionic Breeze, or electro-static filters that replace your furnace filters in your home's air conditioning system? This depends somewhat on budget and noise tolerance. The HEPA filters have fans that make some noise. If you buy one, I recommend you get a Honeywell. After all, it's "the brand that doctors recommend most." Gag!! Actually, since it's a big seller, you'll be able to find the filters for it at any hardware store 15 years from now. Who is going to sell you the replacement filter for that Whirlpool or Vornado HEPA you bought 4 years ago? I don't know. I have a Honeywell in my bedroom, and we keep it on low speed when we're in there, and on high speed when we leave for the day. You have to change the pre-filter every 2 or 3 months. It's very easy to change, but take the unit outside before you disassemble it so the dust doesn't get messy. Changing the main filter is almost as easy, and only has to be done every couple of years.

The Sharper Image Ionic Breeze, with its huge advertising budget, has made quite an impact on the public, as well as the allergy community. With the professional marketing behind it, it is now thought by consumers to be the "best" filter out there. At least that's what it implies in its commercials. And besides, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has given the Ionic Breeze its Seal of Truth. But what does that really mean?

AAFA does not endorse, recommend or advocate the purchase of any specific products, but AAFA will grant a "Seal of Truth" to products that meet scientific criteria determined by an independent panel of scientists including MDs, PhDs, MPHs and other medical, scientific and research experts. The AAFA Seal has been awarded to a variety of consumer products in many categories including vacuum cleaners, air filters, cleaning products and more.

To translate that last bit to English, if you have a product that works, and you pay AAFA $5000.00, they will allow you to use their Seal of Truth. Also, the seal states that the filter can "reduce airborne allergens and irritants..." As with most filters, it does NOT say it will reduce your symptoms, make you feel better, or allow you to use fewer medications. Currently, Sharper Image is giving dozens of my allergy colleagues large research grants to prove that their Ionic Breeze is an effective air cleaner AND can reduce symptoms scores. Sharper Image has certainly gotten its money's worth from that $5000.00 investment; however, I believe AAFA's sterling reputation has suffered. Both the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology have sent their members letters distancing themselves from that endorsement. That was a necessary step since both the College and the Academy have provided financial support to AAFA for many years. Stay tuned – this is exciting!

FULL DISCLOSURE – I own an Ionic Breeze GP model. We keep it in the room where our dogs, Spike and Rosie-Toes, sleep. A couple of my patients got one and raved about it, so I decided to give it a try. It does gather dust – we can see the dust every time we remove the filter to clean it. But, as Consumer Reports points out, my coffee table also gathers dust out of the air. That doesn't make it an air cleaner.

Lastly, the Ionic Breeze is NOT silent, as Sharper Image claims. Several of my patients agree with me that it hisses and pops whenever a tiny speck of dust hits the grid.

So what's the bottom line? If you're interested, get one if you can afford it and try it for 60 days. But keep all the packing materials, the box, and your receipt. If your symptoms aren't better after 59 days, pack everything up (including the receipt) in the box, take it back to The Sharper Image, and get your money back.

"No matter what filter you buy, you have to remember that a filter is just one step in a long process of allergen avoidance. If recommended by your doctor, you should also cover your mattress and pillow with impermeable covers; you should wash the sheets in hot water, remove the carpet from your bedroom, and keep the humidity in your home low enough to discourage growth of dust mites and mold."

David B. Engler, MD

Note: Information contained in this article should not be considered a substitute for consultation with a board-certified allergist to address individual medical needs.